Derren Brown heads to Salford for an epic two week run of shows next week - and he's promising a new show unlike anything fans will have seen before. The master illusionist and mentalist brings his new Showman tour to The Lowry theatre ahead of a three month run on London's West End.
It's always best to expect the unexpected when it comes to Derren Brown shows, of course, but he tells the MEN that fans may well be surprised with just how emotional this new performance can be, his first new show in six years. And, yes, we can expect plenty of audience participation too from the man who found fame with his jaw-dropping TV illusions like Mind Control, Apocalypse and Russian Roulette.
Derren says: "This is much more of a personal show than previous ones, I think people will find it more poignant and moving than previous ones. If you've only ever seen me on TV, then it's also a lot more fun than that.
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"I really enjoy doing the stage shows, if you're going to be doing a show for two hours each night, you have to hit a lot of emotional moments. This stage show is more of a rollercoaster, there are fun bits and darker bits.
"We've always tried to come up with shows you wouldn't see anywhere else, it's not just a magic show or going to see a hypnotist. It's a proper evening at the theatre."
And as for the audience participation? Well, Derren assures us that only WILLING participants will be recruited for the extraordinary psychological illusions that play out on stage.
Although the master of mind control is encouraging everyone who has tickets for The Lowry shows, which start from July 5, to bring along an "object of sentimental value - something they can cup in their hand". Reviews for the show at other venues across the UK this year have promised something quite extraordinary - with fans describing it as "jaw-dropping" and "mind blowing".
Derren says: "The show is based on audience participation but as someone who hates being dragged up on stage myself, no one is going to be dragged up I can promise you that. I totally get people's reluctance, but no one is forced on stage.
"When you are doing a show night after night for a very long time, the whole point of it from my point of view is to keep it fresh and feel like you're recreating the show every night without repeating it, that's incredibly important.
"The fact that it does rely on participation, means you're just one character in a drama, and the rest of the cast are making it up as they go along. It helps keep it very fresh and is the lifeblood of the show."
For Derren, 51, it's exciting to be back at Salford's Lowry Theatre as well, a place he knows well from memorable past performances. He says: "The Lowry is such a lovely theatre to play for a number of reasons - the fact that it's a big modern theatre and acoustically you can hear the audience very clearly. It's pleasant to put on a show there, so we're all really delighted to be coming up."
As for how Derren will be spending his downtime in Manchester while he's here? Well he's a bit of a coffee shop fan so exploring both Salford and Manchester's plethora of venues is a must.
He says: "In my days I'm book writing, so it's a very nice rhythm to do that, head out to a coffee shop. Manchester is a great place for that. That's definitely something I look forward to, exploring all the new places that have sprung up since my last visit.
"And I'll be getting a massage at some point. At the age of 51, I'm finding an oily rub every week or two is now a must."
Derren Brown is at The Lowry Theatre, Salford from July 5 - 16. Remaining tickets available for selected dates from £36.50 at thelowry.com
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